Post by airkeeper on Jul 2, 2024 4:12:53 GMT
US just got bounced from Copa America. They had been drawn into the easiest groups--Uruguay seemingly being the only real competition--but still failed to advance. US beat Bolivia and looked like contenders, but then fell to Panama (went a man down but still...) and, ultimately (and maybe predictably) lost to Uruguay tonight.
There was all this talk from the US camp about how "together" the squad felt and about how much the players like Berhalter's caring demeanor etc etc. That was nice and all, but maybe a coach doesn't need to be the nice guy, the players' pal. Maybe a coach can be supportive off the pitch but more demanding on it.
There is all this talk about this being "the golden generation" for US men's soccer, but, if that is the case, it is fool's gold. Look, there is not more that could be done in terms of the talent level; there are skilled players in the pool. There has been continued investment in development and resources available to players and such. IMO the thing that needs to change more immediately is the manager.
Great, the guys (who spoke to media leading up to and during the Copa) like Berhalter. That is nice. But that didn't help the US improve. It didn't help the quality on the pitch nor the results. I am of the opinion that Berhalter needs to go and US Soccer needs to bring in someone from outside the US to take this so-called "golden generation" to the next level, get them ready to perform and ideally win on the biggest stage in less than two years.
US needs to shed the "nice guy" act, stop the nepotism, and move on from the stale sense of complacency the program has been stuck in since...Klinsmann? USSF made big, necessary changes on the women's side when they've underperformed, and it's about damn time they do the same on the men's side.
Only reason I'll watch any remaining Copa America matches is to hope Messi doesn't get handed this trophy like he was the World Cup. lol
There was all this talk from the US camp about how "together" the squad felt and about how much the players like Berhalter's caring demeanor etc etc. That was nice and all, but maybe a coach doesn't need to be the nice guy, the players' pal. Maybe a coach can be supportive off the pitch but more demanding on it.
There is all this talk about this being "the golden generation" for US men's soccer, but, if that is the case, it is fool's gold. Look, there is not more that could be done in terms of the talent level; there are skilled players in the pool. There has been continued investment in development and resources available to players and such. IMO the thing that needs to change more immediately is the manager.
Great, the guys (who spoke to media leading up to and during the Copa) like Berhalter. That is nice. But that didn't help the US improve. It didn't help the quality on the pitch nor the results. I am of the opinion that Berhalter needs to go and US Soccer needs to bring in someone from outside the US to take this so-called "golden generation" to the next level, get them ready to perform and ideally win on the biggest stage in less than two years.
US needs to shed the "nice guy" act, stop the nepotism, and move on from the stale sense of complacency the program has been stuck in since...Klinsmann? USSF made big, necessary changes on the women's side when they've underperformed, and it's about damn time they do the same on the men's side.
Only reason I'll watch any remaining Copa America matches is to hope Messi doesn't get handed this trophy like he was the World Cup. lol
